[Posted by Chuck Almdale, photography by Ray Juncosa]

A fox prowls the dunes of Santa Monica. (Santa Monica Beach, Ray Juncosa, 10/2/24, 6:18 pm)

Unleashed dogs are a common (and illegal) presence on Santa Monica Beach, but not foxes.

According to photographer Ray Juncosa, the photo was taken on a cellphone north of Annenberg [Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Hwy] and south of the Palisades Beach Club [267 Pacific Coast Hwy, both in Santa Monica]. He writes:

My conjecture is that the wily fox is familiar with the Will Rogers creek that flows from the wooded and “wild” parts of the canyon [Santa Monica Canyon] where it would normally live.  It could follow the creek under PCH and the bike path, and then out to the beach.  If the past few years of drought conditions have reduced the assortment of small rodents, sadly shorebirds might be on the menu.

This area is near the Western Snowy Plover roosting area on the beach. Upon seeing the photograph, Snowy Plover warden Lucien Plauzoles commented:

Equally surprised. Coyote, common, but fox? Never seen one at lower elevations except Channel Islands and 25 years ago at Nojoqui [Nojoqui Falls County Park, Santa Barbara County north of Santa Barbara].

On the Los Angeles County mainland we have the native Gray Fox and the introduced Red Fox, as well as the San Joaquin Kit Fox, half the size of the other two. The diminutive Island Fox lives on the Channel Islands, oddly enough. The above looks red to me.